Establishing how intergroup bias influences the formation and evolution of stereotypes.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
The proposed research will establish how the membership and status of social groups influences how cultural stereotypes form and change. Cultural stereotypes are template-like depictions of social categories whereby group membership is associated with the possession of certain attributes (e.g., scientists are geeky, Scottish people are miserly, men like the colour blue). Stereotypes exert substantial influence on us as individuals and on our society: when people endorse stereotypes it leads to prejudice and discrimination towards members of minority groups; even when people refute stereotypes the mere knowledge of their content can lead to unconscious bias in thoughts and behaviour. Yet, in the face of an infinitely complex social environment stereotypes play a vital social cognitive role by efficiently organising and structuring social information. Given their ubiquity and influence it is perhaps surprising that relatively little is known about how cultural stereotypes form and change.
We propose that stereotypes form and change via a process of cumulative cultural evolution. Because people possess shared biases that influence how information is remembered and communicated, when knowledge is repeatedly passed from person to person these biases accumulate causing the content of information to change in predictable ways. Research has shown that when information is passed down chains of individuals - a bit like the children's game often called 'Chinese whispers' or 'telephone' - it becomes increasingly simplified and structured. For example, we recently demonstrated that as novel social information passes from person to person it develops a stereotype-like structure that was not previously present. Thus, through the process of cumulative cultural evolution, even very small amounts of bias at the level of individual people can translate into much bigger societal biases like cultural stereotypes.
The proposed research will establish whether individual biases associated with a person's membership of social groups influences the formation and evolution of cultural stereotypes. Whether we perceive others as belonging to the same social group as ourselves (the in-group) or a different social group (the out-group) has profound implications for our thoughts and behaviours. Group membership tends to lead to intergroup bias, with people more likely to favour in-group members and discriminate against out-group members. The proposed research will determine whether repeatedly communicating social information about in-group and out-group members results in the formation of relatively positive in-group stereotypes and negative out-group stereotypes. In addition, the proposed research will also establish whether it is possible to predict how the content of stereotypes will evolve based on the perceived status of different out-groups (e.g., whether they are perceived to be high status or low status).
The proposed research will therefore help establish whether cumulative cultural evolution leads to the unintentional but inevitable formation of stereotypes, whose content is largely determined by the shared biases of perceivers rather than the actual properties of the groups themselves.
We propose that stereotypes form and change via a process of cumulative cultural evolution. Because people possess shared biases that influence how information is remembered and communicated, when knowledge is repeatedly passed from person to person these biases accumulate causing the content of information to change in predictable ways. Research has shown that when information is passed down chains of individuals - a bit like the children's game often called 'Chinese whispers' or 'telephone' - it becomes increasingly simplified and structured. For example, we recently demonstrated that as novel social information passes from person to person it develops a stereotype-like structure that was not previously present. Thus, through the process of cumulative cultural evolution, even very small amounts of bias at the level of individual people can translate into much bigger societal biases like cultural stereotypes.
The proposed research will establish whether individual biases associated with a person's membership of social groups influences the formation and evolution of cultural stereotypes. Whether we perceive others as belonging to the same social group as ourselves (the in-group) or a different social group (the out-group) has profound implications for our thoughts and behaviours. Group membership tends to lead to intergroup bias, with people more likely to favour in-group members and discriminate against out-group members. The proposed research will determine whether repeatedly communicating social information about in-group and out-group members results in the formation of relatively positive in-group stereotypes and negative out-group stereotypes. In addition, the proposed research will also establish whether it is possible to predict how the content of stereotypes will evolve based on the perceived status of different out-groups (e.g., whether they are perceived to be high status or low status).
The proposed research will therefore help establish whether cumulative cultural evolution leads to the unintentional but inevitable formation of stereotypes, whose content is largely determined by the shared biases of perceivers rather than the actual properties of the groups themselves.
Planned Impact
Academic Impact
The proposed research will provide novel theoretical insight to a question of relevance to people from around the world - how do cultural stereotypes form and evolve? The research will employ an innovative cross-disciplinary approach, combining theory from social and cognitive psychology with theory and methods from evolutionary linguistics. Examining how stereotypes form and change as information is socially transmitted will not only help shed light on a question of central importance to social psychologists, it will also add to the knowledge base of the emerging multi-disciplinary area of cultural evolution. Because the investigators working on the proposed project will be drawn from diverse research backgrounds (i.e., social psychology, cognitive psychology, linguistics), the postdoctoral researcher working on the project will have a unique opportunity to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that they might not necessarily be afforded on a within discipline project.
Societal impact
The most obvious, although not singular, negative aspect of stereotypes is their association with prejudice. Believing stereotypes to be true representations of social categories leads to prejudiced attitudes and behaviour. Prejudice leads to intergroup bias, which can result in individual, institutional or societal discrimination against members of particular social groups. Discrimination can manifest itself in many different forms, from direct and unconscious bias in work-based recruitment policies and selection decisions, to social conflict and even ethnic cleansing. What the multifarious forms of prejudice and discrimination have in common is their reliance on inaccurate stereotypic assumptions.
There is currently a sizeable knowledge gap between current scientific understanding of stereotypes and the perceptions of the general public and policy-makers. We will engage directly with the general public, with a diverse range of media and with the third sector to explain what stereotypes are, their positive and negative consequences, and the science that is uncovering their function, thereby providing impact that is of societal and personal relevance. We will also develop training on the influence of unconscious social bias in higher education; this training will initially be delivered to staff at the University of Aberdeen, before being offered to staff at the University of Abertay and the University of Edinburgh. If successful the training would then be made available to other higher education institutions throughout the UK.
The proposed research will provide novel theoretical insight to a question of relevance to people from around the world - how do cultural stereotypes form and evolve? The research will employ an innovative cross-disciplinary approach, combining theory from social and cognitive psychology with theory and methods from evolutionary linguistics. Examining how stereotypes form and change as information is socially transmitted will not only help shed light on a question of central importance to social psychologists, it will also add to the knowledge base of the emerging multi-disciplinary area of cultural evolution. Because the investigators working on the proposed project will be drawn from diverse research backgrounds (i.e., social psychology, cognitive psychology, linguistics), the postdoctoral researcher working on the project will have a unique opportunity to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that they might not necessarily be afforded on a within discipline project.
Societal impact
The most obvious, although not singular, negative aspect of stereotypes is their association with prejudice. Believing stereotypes to be true representations of social categories leads to prejudiced attitudes and behaviour. Prejudice leads to intergroup bias, which can result in individual, institutional or societal discrimination against members of particular social groups. Discrimination can manifest itself in many different forms, from direct and unconscious bias in work-based recruitment policies and selection decisions, to social conflict and even ethnic cleansing. What the multifarious forms of prejudice and discrimination have in common is their reliance on inaccurate stereotypic assumptions.
There is currently a sizeable knowledge gap between current scientific understanding of stereotypes and the perceptions of the general public and policy-makers. We will engage directly with the general public, with a diverse range of media and with the third sector to explain what stereotypes are, their positive and negative consequences, and the science that is uncovering their function, thereby providing impact that is of societal and personal relevance. We will also develop training on the influence of unconscious social bias in higher education; this training will initially be delivered to staff at the University of Aberdeen, before being offered to staff at the University of Abertay and the University of Edinburgh. If successful the training would then be made available to other higher education institutions throughout the UK.
Organisations
Publications
Hutchison J
(2018)
Context and Perceptual Salience Influence the Formation of Novel Stereotypes via Cumulative Cultural Evolution.
in Cognitive science
Martin D
(2017)
How societal stereotypes might form and evolve via cumulative cultural evolution
in Social and Personality Psychology Compass
Description | Our preliminary findings suggest that, as social information passes from person to person, it evolves differently for in-group and out-group members. Over time the in-group becomes increasingly associated with more positive/fewer negative attributes than the out-group, resulting in the formation of qualitatively and quantitively different stereotypes of in-groups and out-groups. We are therefore able to provide the first evidence that repeatedly communicating social information about in-group and out-group members results in the formation of relatively positive in-group stereotypes and negative out-group stereotypes. Thus our findings help establish that cumulative cultural evolution can lead to the unintentional but inevitable formation of stereotypes, whose content is largely determined by the shared biases of perceivers rather than the actual properties of the groups themselves. |
Exploitation Route | There is a clear gap between current scientific understanding of stereotypes and public perceptions of what they are. The research findings help establish that cumulative cultural evolution can lead to the unintentional but inevitable formation of stereotypes, whose content is largely determined by the shared biases of perceivers rather than the actual properties of the groups themselves. The current findings should provide a greater understanding of what stereotypes are and the influence they exert on our lives as individuals and as a society. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education |
Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at the Gordon's Schools, Huntly. This event was organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe in Schools programme. The purpose of the talk was to inform school pupils about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate among the pupils. The talk was attended by around 50-secondary school children (14-16-year-old). There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. A post event questionnaire indicated that 82% of pupils reported having increased understanding after the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Event with Philosophy Cafe in Schools at Banff Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at Banff Academy, Banff. This event was organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe in Schools programme. The purpose of the talk was to inform school pupils about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate among the pupils. The talk was attended by around 60-secondary school children (16-18-year-old). There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. A post event questionnaire indicated that 87% of pupils reported having increased understanding after the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Event with Philosophy Cafe in Schools at Mearns Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The Post Doc on the grant, Dr Jacqui Hutchison, gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at Mearns Academy, Laurencekirk. This event was organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe in Schools programme. The purpose of the talk was to inform school pupils about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate among the pupils. The talk was attended by around 60-secondary school children (16-18-year-old). There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. A post event questionnaire indicated that 73% of pupils reported having increased understanding after the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Invited public talk/debate with students at Stirling University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | I gave an invited online talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias to students at Stirling University. The event was organised by the Stirling University Psychology Society. The purpose of the talk was to inform the general public about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate. The talk was attended by around 20 undergraduate students. There was considerable debate after the talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Invited public talk/debate with students at the University of Aberdeen |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | I gave an invited in-person talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias to students at the University of Aberdeen. The event was organised by the University of Aberdeen Psychology Society. The purpose of the talk was to inform the general public about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate. The talk was attended by around 20 undergraduate students. There was considerable debate after the talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Philosophy Cafe general public talk/debate in Stonehaven library |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at Stonehaven library, in an event organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe. The purpose of the talk was to inform the general public about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate. The talk was attended by around 20members of the public. There was considerable debate after the talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Lead presentation at an online workshop on Generics and Stereotypes in Language hosted by the ILLC, University of Amsterdam |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof Kenny Smith (co-applicant on this grant) were invited to give the opening talk at an international interdisciplinary workshop on generics and stereotypes in language. The workshop, hosted by the University of Amsterdam, included researchers from across Europe and North America, from a range of academic fields (e.g., social psychology, cognitive psychology, linguistics, computing science). There were eight invited talks and extensive discussion about state-of-the-art findings, the future of the field, and potential future collaborative work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Provided training relating to social bias at University of Aberdeen's 2-day teaching course for new staff |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | As part of a 2-day teaching course for new staff at the University of Aberdeen, I gave a short presentation on social bias and led a group discussion on the effects social bias can have on equality and diversity issues. I have participated in these courses twice yearly since 2018. The staff on the courses have commented that these sessions have challenged their preconceptions and made them reconsider the best course of action in difficult situations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
Description | Ran an interactive stall as part of the University of Aberdeen Health Inclusion Week, which provided information about stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We ran an interactive stall illustrating the effects of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination as part of the University of Aberdeen's Inclusion Week. The stall had posters providing information and a number of fun interactive tasks that people could take part in. We received very positive feedback from people taking part, with many stating that they felt better informed and that they would consider about their thoughts and behaviours differently in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | Ran an interactive stall at the University of Aberdeen Health and Well-being Day, which provided information about stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We ran an interactive stall illustrating the effects of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination as part of the University of Aberdeen's Health and Well-being day. The stall had posters providing information and a number of fun interactive tasks that people could take part in. We received very positive feedback from people taking part, with many stating that they felt better informed and that they would consider about their thoughts and behaviours differently in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Stereotypes and social cognitive bias: In the lab and in the wild |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias to the Rowett Institute. The purpose of the talk was to inform members of the Institute about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias". The talk was attended by around 80-researchers and academics. There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Unconscious bias training for the School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I delivered unconscious bias training to all staff in the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen. This training prompted many questions and a number of staff reported having re-evaluated their thoughts and behaviours as a result of the session. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Banchory-Devenick Primary School, Aberdeenshire March 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use. School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Mill O Forest Primary School, March 2018) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Mill O Forest Primary School, March 2018). School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Portlethen Primary School, March 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use. School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Portlethen Primary School, October 2018) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use. School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |